Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake

adapted from 3 Sisters'

2 packages stuffing mix
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
½ teaspoon pepper
3/4 lb sliced deli ham, cut into 1 inch stips
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups cooked chicken, chunked

Prepare stuffing mixes according to directions on box. Meanwhile, combine soup and milk in a bowl. Put chicken in a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with pepper. Layer with ham, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, soup mixture and stuffing. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. At this point you can freeze. Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer.

OR, to save time, combine all ingredients but ham and stuffing in a large, microwaveable bowl. Heat until hot, then pour into pan and top with stuffing, then bake or broil just until stuffing is crisp.